necessary preparations.
Finding a handsome horse in the stables, he at once appropriated it
without sending to ask leave of the owner, who proved to be Mr Dare,
the paymaster. Stephen was getting his little troop in readiness, as he
expected to be sent on the expedition, when Fletcher rode into the
market square mounted on Mr Dare's horse. The owner, without
considering Fletcher's military rank and social position, came up to
him, and in an insulting manner inquired how Mr Fletcher ventured to
take a horse belonging to him without first asking his leave.

"The exigencies of the moment require it, my friend," answered Fletcher;
"and as I am to command the cavalry, it is important that I should have
a horse capable of performing whatever work I may demand of him. I
therefore considered myself justified in taking the first horse suitable
for my purpose, irrespective to whom he belongs."

"But I am not thus to be ridden over by a Scotch Laird," exclaimed Dare
in an insulting tone; "the horse is mine."

"It may be," said Fletcher, "but you are not about to act as a cavalry
officer, and I am. Therefore, for the good of the service, I consider
myself justified in retaining the horse."

"Retain it you shall not," cried Dare, flourishing a cane which he held
in his hand. "Whether you are a cavalry officer or not, I will make you
dismount from that horse," and he advanced with a threatening gesture
towards the high-spirited Scotchman. A fatal moment. Fletcher drew a
pistol and ordered Dare to stand back. Dare still advanced, when, to
the horror of all the bystanders, the pistol exploded, and Dare fell
mortally wounded to the ground. Stephen and others ran to lift up the
fallen man, but life had fled. Fletcher was instantly seized with
remorse at the fatal act he had committed, when he saw Dare was no more.
Numbers gathered from all parts, and among them came the son of the
slain man, accompanied by a number of the new levies, who demanded
punishment of the assassin. The Duke of Monmouth, hurrying up, in vain
endeavoured to allay their anger. They threatened that if Fletcher was
not arrested, they would take the law into their own hands and tear him
to pieces. The poor Duke was almost distracted by this unfortunate
event. In Dare he had lost a devoted partisan, while Fletcher was the
only man besides himself in his whole army who had seen service, who, by
his talents, was capable of acting as a General. As the on